Dodenherdenking -Remembrance of the Dead

Every year on May 4 the Netherlands commemorate all civilians and members of the armed forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who have died in wars or (since 1960s also) in peacekeeping missions since the outbreak of the Second World War.

Traditionally, the main ceremonies are observed in Amsterdam at the national monument on Dam Square. I was in the Vondelpark instead, and due to the first great weather of the spring, so were many others. At 8.00 p.m., two minutes of silence are observed throughout the Netherlands, so we shut up. Since 1994, the flags, having hung at half-staff during the day, are then hoisted to the sounds of the Dutch national anthem. I heard them through a radio that some other people brought and turned on so as to listen (surprisingly). the patriots cheered and the rest listened, and a friend translated. It is interesting to note the lyrics when a national anthem is at hand, but the dutch one is peculiar:
"William of Nassau,
Am I, of Dutch descent
Loyal to the fatherland
I will remain until death
A Prince of Orange
Am I, free and fearless
The king of Spain
I have always honoured"

The next day, on May 5, Dutch people celebrate the liberation from the German occupation of 1940-45. I was with a German friend, and instead, have seen the Rembrandt-Caravaggio exhibition at the Van Gogh Museum. Stared at the masterpiece "Amor Vincit Omnia" (meaning "Love Conquers All", but also known in English as Amor Victorious, Victorious Cupid, Love Triumphant, Love Victorious, or Earthly Love) for over an hour and fell completely in love with the colours and the mastery of Caravaggio... I intend to keep it in my system by going to the exhibition every now and then.